Food and health are becoming a great deal for society especially for people who suffer from health related diseases. In order to have a lifestyle that is healthy and be able to move around easily, people should consider what they eat. One of the major diseases that affect our society negatively is obesity. High blood pressure and the two types of diabetes also have undesired effects. In his article, Balko discusses how the government is becoming a negative influence in our society by over regulating food choices. However, I find that the government plays an influential role in informing people about what they should eat. The government should help educate people on how to properly choose healthy foods.
Obesity, one of the major diseases brought by poor eating habits elevates the risk of other diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, and high blood pressure. These issues that have become an epidemic in our culture are all as a result of health-related decisions that people make. Fast food, also known as junk food, has a direct correlation of this societal issue (Jennifer et al. n.d). In the recent decades, obesity victims have increased especially among children. In the article “The Association Of Fast Food Consumption With Poor Dietary Outcomes And Obesity Among Children: Is It The Fast Food Or The Remainder Of The Diet?” the authors argues that the prevalence of obesity among US children increased significantly during the past 3 decades, with 1 in 3 overweight or obese by 2009/2010. Fast food-created problems are associated with high calories (Wang, 2008). Fast food is not healthy, but it’s cheaper and faster. The ingredients are not organic. The other food might not have organic ingredients too, but it would be healthier than fast food. The chosen foods in restaurants are of low quality. People who eat fast food can tell the difference. Those who are in better health argue that fast food is unhealthy because they have avoided this kind of food, and they live in better health conditions. Most people who eat fast food gain weight easily. Living in healthy environments help one to eat healthily. Educated people tend to eat healthy foods. Families that adopt healthy mechanisms of raising children are always in a position to give the children a better foundation to succeed.
Governments have a responsibility towards healthy and safety of citizens. They should get involved in social awareness campaigns to educate people on the bad effect of fast food. Governments should also regulate marketing and advertising of such food restaurants. In this case, the government should take action towards the fast-food restaurants by testing and supervising what they sell. In his argument, Balko establishes the discussion that the government should not be involved.
Foods with high calories are not appropriate with the kind of lifestyle modern generations live. These days, most people spend their time indoors, playing with the computers, cell-phones, and use automobile transportation. This restricts their movement. The society should be educated on how to live actively. Balko poses a question: “if the government is paying for my anti-cholesterol medication, what incentive is there for me to put down the cheeseburger?” Not many people can make the right choice. At the same time, not all people are rich enough to afford healthy food. I argue that Balko is totally wrong in his point of view. It is critical for the government to be involved. Balko argues: “We’re becoming less responsible for our health and more responsible for everyone else.” I agree with this point of view. However, this does not imply that the government should not be involved in promoting social awareness and regulate fast food restaurants.
References
Jennifer, P., Kiyah, D., & Barry, P. (n.d.). "The association of fast food consumption with poor dietary outcomes and obesity among children: Is it the fast food or the remainder of the diet?"
Wang, Y. (2008). Childhood obesity prevention programs: Comparative effectiveness review and meta-analysis.
